How to love your job when you hate it

08/05/2025 by

How to love your job when you hate it? A question I’ve been asked numerous times. My response is always the same. The best way to appreciate the job you have is to imagine your life without it.

That starts with taking a closer look at what’s good about the job. There’s usually some aspect of the job we enjoy, even if it’s only the swivel chair we sit in.

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Life’s too short to hate your job

Do you hate your job, dear reader?

Do you tell everyone, at every opportunity, that you hate your job?

By telling everyone you hate your job, do you imagine they’ll be impressed or, in some way, feel sympathy for you?

Maybe you think that by doing this, your fellow workers will regard you as someone unafraid to speak their mind.

Perhaps you think that in the eyes of your fellow workers, this approach will make you look good.

Hold that thought, and then consider this question. How do you feel about working with someone else who’s always moaning about how unhappy they are at their job?

Do you admire that person?

Do they impress you with their negativity?

I’m guessing your response to this question will be negative. I’m sure you’ll be unimpressed with such people. After all, most of us are.

Everyone hates a moaner

If you imagined that moaning about how unhappy you are was the best way to get people on your side, then seriously, you need to think again. Everyone hates a moaner, whatever indications you’ve heard to the contrary. Let me tell you this: no one’s impressed.

Your colleagues may not say so, but they’ll find your negativity irritating at the very least. It’s probably driving them all nuts.

Life’s short, and it’s hard enough for most people. So having some moaning Minnie constantly bringing them down makes life harder.

Constant negativity is just a pain in the rear for most people.

Imagine your life without your job

If your current mindset means you hate your job right now, then the first thing to do is start changing that mindset. Start by looking at your job differently.

How?

Well, imagine your life without your current job. What would that be like? Think about that question carefully, and be honest with yourself.

Without your job, you’d have nothing to do, no reason to get out of bed, nowhere to go, no sense of purpose, nothing to challenge you, no money, and you’d be without the camaraderie of your fellow workers. You’d probably feel lonely and lack any real social life, too.

How would that make you feel?

Would you feel better about yourself without those things?

I’m sure if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll recognise that work gives us far more than we realise. I don’t think you’d be happy without all those things mentioned above.

So the best way to begin appreciating your job is to imagine your life without it.

No job is perfect

Most jobs come with an element of frustration and a spoonful of tedium. That’s life.

No job is perfect, but no job is all bad either.

It’s just a matter of how you choose to look at things.

If you focus on the bad things, then everything will seem bad. However, if you focus on the good bits, then your job can begin to look very different, and you’ll start to feel more positive about your work.

The fact is, we all need to do something with our time, surely?

Even millionaires need something to fill their time.

There are only so many holidays you can take and so much shopping you can do.

Eventually, everyone needs a sense of purpose, and we all want to feel that we’re making a contribution to the world around us.

Life’s a short movie

Life’s far too short to be unhappy.

So if you hate your job, then you have two choices:

  1. You find another job, or
  2. You start looking differently at your current job.

And before you start searching the vacancy columns or the job websites, think carefully about what you might be throwing away should you leave your current job.

Moving to another job doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be any happier.

Neither will it guarantee that you’ll find the perfect job for you.

So it’s worth thinking seriously about your current job first. At least it’s the devil you know.

Can you begin to look at your current job differently? Perhaps you need a little help.

I really hate my job

Here’s a great motivational speech from the late Zig Ziglar that you might find very useful.

It’s full of great advice and well worth a few minutes of your time.

If you don’t like your job right now, then you really should watch it.

Even if you do like your job, watch it anyway. I found it truly inspirational. So take a look at it now.

How to love your job when you hate it (Video)

Further Listening:

I’m a huge fan of Zig Ziglar, but I recognise that he had an evangelical presentation style that’s not to everyone’s taste.

However, if you can get beyond that presentation style, then his words are inspirational and informative.

I particularly like his audiobooks, which I listen to constantly when I’m driving.

One audiobook I can recommend is:

The Born to Win Seminar

Listen to this, and I promise you it will help you discover your untapped greatness and guide you towards greater success in life.

I bought my copy of this audio program for my library, and it was well worth the price. I listen to it over and over again, and I always find something new in his words.

You can check out this audio program if you click on the buttons below.

View at Amazon USA
View at Amazon UK

DISCLOSURE: I am an Amazon affiliate. If you purchase via the links here, I will receive a small commission. There will be no additional charge to you. Your understanding is appreciated, dear reader. Thank you.

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How to deal with criticism in the workplace

07/27/2025 by

Today’s theme is how to deal with criticism in the workplace.

Have you ever had a problem dealing with criticism in the workplace, dear reader?

If you have, you’re not alone.

HOW TO DEAL WITH CRITICISM IN THE WORKPLACE
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How to deal with criticism in the workplace:

Most of us can be a little sensitive when we’re criticized by other people, particularly in the workplace. That’s natural, and I struggle with it just as much as the next person.

However, over the years, I’ve learned that criticism comes in two types, as follows:

  1. Constructive criticism; and
  2. Destructive criticism

What’s the difference?

People who offer constructive criticism are genuinely trying to help, even if that isn’t immediately obvious.

However, just because they’re trying to help doesn’t necessarily mean they’re right about what they’re saying. I’ll get back to that point shortly.

When you’re subjected to destructive criticism, then someone is just having a go at you. To hurt you, for whatever reason.

That may be to bolster their ego, or they may not like you very much and therefore cannot resist the temptation to belittle you or make you feel generally uncomfortable.

Remember, some people derive pleasure from others’ discomfort and therefore enjoy taking a dig at them when the opportunity arises. These are the haters and the trolls. They exist in the workplace, as well as on social media.

How to deal with constructive criticism:

When you’re on the receiving end of criticism, don’t take any of it personally. Remember, you’re bigger than that.

Just remain calm, listen to what’s being said, consider the person saying it, and, of course, the rationale behind their comment.

As you absorb what has been said to you, ask yourself this question:

“Is this person being constructive or destructive?”

If you feel they’re being constructive in offering their comment, then the next question to ask yourself is, “Do they have a fair point?”

In answering that question, you must be honest with yourself.

Remember, it’s a sign of maturity when you can acknowledge your inexperience and mistakes.

And you can’t learn from your mistakes unless you recognize them first.

So if, after careful reflection, you feel that they do have a fair point, then take it on board and use it as a learning opportunity.

At this point, thank your critic for the feedback and decide how you might use it to improve and be better at what you do.

You might even ask your critic for suggestions if you think they can help you.

Even constructive critics are not always right:

Not every self-appointed critic has a universal monopoly on know-how and common sense, however well-intentioned they may be. Even so-called experts occasionally get things wrong.

So, in reflecting on any constructive criticism offered, your conclusion might be that they don’t have a fair point. And as long as you’re being honest with yourself, it’s perfectly reasonable to say, “You know what? I think they’re wrong.”

If that’s the case, then be polite, thank them for their feedback, and agree to disagree if necessary.

Accept that they offered their comment in good faith and that their intentions were honorable, but move on without any sense of feeling hurt just because someone had the temerity to question your approach.

They’re entitled to their opinion, but you don’t have to accept it.

How to deal with destructive criticism:

If someone is attempting to be destructive in their criticism, then don’t rise to the bait. Just smile politely and move on.

Do not give anyone the satisfaction of a reaction or signs that they’ve gotten to you. That’s the oxygen on which they feed. It’s the dopamine hit they crave.

You’re better than that, so don’t allow yourself to get drawn into their game. They’re unworthy of a reaction or any of your emotional energy.

And never allow such people to chip away at your self-esteem.

That’s what they’re trying to do, so know that, and as you’re smiling, say to yourself, “I’m better than you, and your attempt to have a go at me won’t get you anywhere. So stop wasting your time and mine.“

Conclusion:

Recognize that criticism has two forms. Either way, never take any of it personally, even if you suspect your critic is being personal.

If your critic is being constructive, then be honest with yourself and question whether they have a valid point. If they do have a point, then you must learn from it.

If your critic is being destructive, then do not give them the satisfaction of a reaction. Just smile and move on.

If you’re unsure whether they’re being constructive or destructive, give them the benefit of the doubt, assume they’re being constructive, and act accordingly.

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How much should I be paid?

07/20/2025 by

Dear reader, have you ever asked yourself the question, “How much should I be paid?” Probably is the answer, I would guess. Most people do at some point. Indeed, it’s a question I’ve asked myself many times.

We live in challenging economic times, so we’re all keen to ensure that we earn as much as we can. The question is, how much?

What is work?

In the modern age, people often prioritise their careers, losing sight of what work is truly about.

A career is a natural progression of jobs within a given profession or industry, through which we develop our skills and gain experience over time. Each of those jobs represents work.

In simple terms, work is just doing something for someone in return for money. Essentially, we provide a service or solve a problem, and an employer is our customer.

We’re paid to deliver results for the employer, with a strong emphasis on delivery.

How much should I be paid
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How much should I be paid?

The financial reward you get for the work you do is based on two things:

  1. The value you can add, and
  2. The laws of supply and demand (also known as the market rate).

The value you can add is directly proportional to the skills you have and your knowledge and experience of the profession or industry in which you are seeking to work.

The supply and demand for your skills and experience within the job market will dictate how much an employer will be prepared to pay.

Why don’t businesses pay people more?

Essentially, labour is a commodity. By definition, a commodity is something that can only be differentiated in terms of price.

None of us will pay more for a commodity than necessary.

For example, suppose you want to buy a loaf of bread, and in one store, it costs $1, while in another store, the same loaf costs $1.50. Which store will you buy from? The $1 store, obviously, because that’s what any rational person would do. Why would anyone pay more than they must?

Businesspeople think in the same way.

Businesses exist to make a profit. Profit is sales income less costs, and, almost always, the biggest cost for any business is the cost of labour.

So, businesses will not pay any more than they must for people. Why would anyone expect it to be otherwise?

An employer doesn’t care about what you think you’re worth.

Your worth to the business will be judged solely on the potential value you can add, as well as the availability and demand for your skills and experience.

How do I measure the value I add?

Essentially, value is another way of saying your skills and experience, dear reader.

Alternatively, for an entry-level job, your value would be your potential.

If an employer is seeking a junior staff member for training, then your aptitude and qualifications would be a proxy for the value you could potentially add once your training has been completed.

I think I’m worth more:

If you think you’re being paid less than you deserve, then you have two options:

  1. Go to your boss and request a raise, or
  2. Test the (job) market.

Either way, you need to do your homework first.

Request a raise:

    Before speaking to your boss about a raise, do some basic research on pay rates for similar jobs to yours with a requirement for the same skills and experience that you offer.

    Also, identify at least three significant things that you do in your current role that make a real difference to the company. Ideally, these should be things only you can do.

    Also, consider how you can do those things you do best more efficiently to enhance your productivity.

    Test the market:

      Even if you’re otherwise happy with your current employer, it can be worth putting yourself about a bit in the job market to see what other companies would be willing to pay you.

      Apply for some other jobs and see what companies are willing to pay you.

      And remember, most companies know that they’ll have to offer an uplift of at least 20% on your current salary to persuade you to take the risk of leaving your current employer, certainly if you’re highly skilled.

      Once you’ve received a suitable offer, you then have two choices.

      Either you accept the offer and move to the new employer, or you take that offer to your current employer and see whether they’re willing to match it.

      I have done this more than once, and it does work.

      Given the cost to the employer of losing a highly valued member of the team, most employers will match an offer rather than lose you.

      And if they’re willing to let you leave, then they didn’t value you, and therefore, you might as well go.

      How do I earn more?

      Another way to think about this is, how do you make yourself more valuable?

      You should continually build your value.

      If you want to earn more, then learn more.

      Work hard on building your experience as well. Be willing and ready to accept new challenges, however daunting, for rough seas make skilled sailors.

      Become the ‘go-to’ person for some activity that is perceived as valuable to the business.

      Your focus should be on ‘what you’re becoming’ rather than any short-term gain, and eventually, you have a good chance of becoming very valuable.

      Think about it this way. Whatever you’re doing, you’re just there to serve customers and solve problems for them.

      There will always be customers for goods and services, some of which have yet to be invented. Goods and services are another way of saying problems customers have that need a solution, and you’re the provider of that solution.

      The greater the skills and experience required to solve those problems, the more you will earn, assuming you have those skills and expertise.

      Know the market rate:

      Every business keeps a close eye on the market rates for given skills and experience. They do this to ensure that they’re not overpaying.

      You should keep a close eye on market rates, too, to ensure that you’re not being underpaid for what you’re doing.

      In short, you must be very disciplined and businesslike in your approach to work and selling your skills.

      Think of yourself as a small business providing goods and services to your boss, your colleagues, and the customers of the company for which you work.

      Conclusion:

      You won’t get paid more than you’re worth.

      However, if you continually increase your value by learning and building your skills and experience, you can earn more.

      Choose a highly skilled discipline with high demand and an undersupply of potential candidates, and you can earn a lot of money.

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      The Value of Time: Life’s most precious resource

      07/19/2025 by

      Today, I am exploring the value of time.

      Life’s most precious resource:

      Let me ask you a question first. What is life’s most precious resource, dear reader?

      Now, many readers might say money.

      However, think about it for a second.

      Certainly, money is a vital resource, particularly in the modern era. And for most people, there’s never quite enough.

      Nevertheless, you can always get more money. You can start a business; you can earn a bigger salary; you could win the lottery; you could even sell some of your possessions, if necessary.

      So, in that sense, money is not a limited resource. You can get more of it.

      Life's most precious resource
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      The importance of time:

      If money’s not the most precious resource, how about time?

      We often fail to appreciate the significance of time, and most of us can be quite wasteful of it, at least occasionally.

      When you think about it, time is a very limited resource. We’re all limited to just 168 hours per week, whether we like it or not.

      None of us can get more hours than that each week, however wealthy we may be. We cannot buy more time, can we?

      And we’re only on this Earth for a finite amount of time, too.

      Precious commodity:

      So if we can’t get any more, time must be a very precious commodity. It must be our most precious commodity.

      It’s the only commodity we cannot get more of, so it’s got to be more precious than anything else, surely?

      Therefore, if time is so precious, we must use it wisely, surely?

      We must guard it carefully. And we must never allow other people to waste our time, certainly if we aim to achieve anything of significance in life.

      Never give your time away cheaply:

      Just because someone asks for a piece of your time, that does not imply an obligation on you to give it to them automatically.

      People are entitled to make such a request, of course. However, it’s perfectly reasonable for you to think about it carefully before deciding whether to agree to their request.

      And it’s perfectly reasonable for you to say NO if you don’t consider what is being asked of you the best use of your time.

      If a NO is the most appropriate response from your standpoint, then so be it.

      Remember, it’s your time:

      NO is the most powerful time management tool you have at your disposal.

      It’s perfectly legitimate for you to have your own aims and your own agenda, and your time should be allocated in such a way that you can achieve whatever it is you’re trying to achieve. So never be afraid to say NO.

      Always be polite, of course, but guard your time very carefully.

      And remember this: it’s your time, and you decide how best to use it.

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      Valuing people must take precedence in the modern age

      07/13/2025 by

      Valuing People:

      Today, the theme is valuing people. This issue is much more important than you might think.

      Valuing people
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      Why Valuing People Matters:

      One thing you’ll learn as you get older is the importance of valuing people.

      We can all get so carried away with our work and careers that we can forget what matters most.

      Now I’m sure that your work is important to you, and perhaps you even believe that you’re indispensable to your employer.

      If you believe that, then all I can say is, dream on.

      From experience, I can tell you that there’s no such thing as indispensable when it comes to being employed.

      If you were to die tomorrow, your employer would replace you in a heartbeat, and the company would carry on without you. You won’t be missed for long, and in all probability, you’d be forgotten fairly quickly.

      That’s why it’s essential to ensure that your life has balance.

      Yes, of course, you need to work to earn an income to put a roof over your head and bread on the table. So in that sense, work’s essential.

      It’s also a good thing to have a genuine sense of purpose. We all need that.

      However, work shouldn’t be everything to you. Some things are much more important.

      Don’t let time slip through your fingers without having spent some of it regularly with those that matter to you—the people closest to your heart. In other words, your loved ones.

      Your employer may not miss you for very long should you pass away, but the family and friends you leave behind would feel a sense of loss for the rest of their lives.

      For family and friends, you cannot be replaced.

      It’s later than you think:

      Work gives us a sense of purpose and identity, but only people truly matter. Therefore, valuing people must always take precedence over work and material things.

      So make sure you enjoy some time with those that matter to you before it’s too late.

      And, you never know, it could be later than you think.

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      11 wise sayings about life lessons and what they mean

      07/06/2025 by

      Today, dear reader, I offer you 11 wise sayings about life lessons, along with some observations on what I believe they mean for your life.

      I hope you find this valuable and interesting.

      WISE SAYINGS ABOUT LIFE LESSONS
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      Wise sayings about life lessons:

      1. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. ~English Proverb

      When visiting a foreign country with a different culture from your own, the best way to get along with the local people is to respect their culture and customs.

      Essentially, it’s all about respecting and adhering to their way of life, as far as reasonably possible.

      Respect people and they’ll appreciate it.

      Learn a little bit of their language and you’ll connect with them. They won’t mind if you don’t get all the words and pronunciation completely correct. It’ll probably make them smile a little, and they’ll appreciate your effort.

      Treat people with respect and they’ll treat you with respect. It’s that simple.

      2. Be contrary and be known. ~Arab Proverb

      If you want to get noticed, a ‘me too’ approach to life is unlikely to take you very far. When you’re just like everyone else, how can you stand out in the crowd?

      If you want to get noticed, then you need to offer something a bit different, surely?

      To stand out in the crowd, you’ll need to dress differently, have an unusual hairstyle or offer something new.

      Go against the accepted thinking of the day and you’ll get noticed.

      Suggest something that goes against the received wisdom of the day, and people might listen if you back up your observation with a reasoned argument.

      Be different, be contrary, and you’ll get noticed.

      Back it up with real substance, and you will make a permanent impression on public consciousness.

      Elvis Presley was like nothing that went before him; neither were The Beatles.

      These were people who had a look, style and approach all of their own. They made a genuine impact, and they changed people’s outlook on life permanently.

      In other words, they made their mark, and you can too.

      3. A beautiful thing is never perfect. ~Egyptian Proverb

      There’s no such thing as perfect, certainly not when it comes to people.

      We’re all imperfect in some way.

      However, that’s what makes us interesting as individuals. It’s also what makes it easier for other people to live with us because no matter how good we are in some way, there are also ways in which we are not quite so good.

      So accept your imperfections. Work to your strengths, minimise your weaknesses and do the best you can with whatever you have at your disposal. If you do that, you can succeed.

      4. There’s no shame in not knowing; the shame lies in not finding out. ~Russian Proverb

      How often do people refrain from asking a question for fear that they might look a little stupid? Does that ring a bell with you, dear reader?

      We’ve probably all done it at some point in our lives, wouldn’t you agree?

      However, it’s rather silly if you think about it.

      None of us can know everything, can we? There will always be gaps in our knowledge, that’s for sure.

      So if you don’t know something, surely it’s better to find out? It’s better to ask a question, even if you appear foolish momentarily.

      People might laugh, but so what?

      Intelligent people ask questions, and it’s better to look like a fool momentarily than proceed in ignorance. You may look like a fool for not knowing but you’ll look like an even bigger fool if you screw up because you didn’t ask.

      Never, ever be afraid to ask a question if you don’t know.

      That way you’ll learn. In any other way, and you’ll never learn. Remember: Intelligent people ask questions.

      5. Experience is not always the kindest of teachers, but it’s surely the best. ~Spanish Proverb

      Education is a wonderful thing, I’m sure you’ll agree.

      However, the best teacher by a country mile is the School of Hard Knocks at the University of Life.

      Making mistakes and getting your fingers burned teaches you lessons you’ll never forget. And those lessons are invaluable.

      That’s what they call experience, and experience is indeed a valuable commodity.

      Experience is the basis of all wisdom.

      It’s also an essential element in finding out what you’re good at and what you enjoy.

      And if you can find that sweet spot where what you’re good at coincides with what you enjoy doing, then you really will begin to shine. So shine on, my friend.

      6. Having two ears and one tongue, we should listen twice as much as we speak. ~Turkish Proverb

      How often are we so keen to get our point across that we don’t listen to what the other person has to say? That’s a mistake.

      Listening is one of the most important skills you can develop.

      To quote Stephen R. Covey, “Seek first to understand and then to be understood.”

      To understand someone else’s point, you must listen first.

      Listening is not the same as hearing.

      Hearing is simply being aware of the sounds going on around you.

      Listening is absorbing what is being said and considering it carefully.

      Listening requires both your ears and your brain to be engaged simultaneously.

      Naturally, you want to feel that your perspective matters.

      If you listen to people first, not only will they appreciate it, but they’ll also start listening to you. If you’re showing them respect, then they’ll do the same to you.

      By listening to each other, we can begin to understand each other.

      And if we understand each other, we have the basis for getting along together.

      So listen more and talk less.

      In this way, the world might just become a better place. Let’s hope so anyway.

      7. It’s better to die than to live on with a bad reputation. ~Vietnamese Proverb

      Some time ago, a friend of mine was working for a retailer and foolishly did something dishonest. The result was that he lost his job and damaged his reputation in the process.

      Only when he began to realise how much damage he’d done to his reputation did he begin to realise how foolish he’d been.

      Damaging your reputation can have serious consequences, and you can often feel the impact of that for many years after the original indiscretion.

      So, protect and value your reputation.

      It’s one of the most important commodities you have to offer.

      Whether you’re in employment or self-employed, you’ll always be judged on your reputation. A bad reputation can lead to harsh judgment.

      8. A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. ~Greek Proverb

      Your legacy in life will be based on what you’ve done for other people, regardless of whether you’ve benefitted from it yourself.

      That’s how you’ll be remembered.

      A civilised society depends on each of us making a contribution toward the greater good. We cannot just leave it all to someone else.

      If you want your grandchildren and their children to enjoy a well-ordered and civilised society, then you must be prepared to do something the result of which you may never see. The payoff for you will simply be the knowledge that future generations will benefit from your altruism.

      Leaving something that enriches the lives of future generations would be a real and genuine legacy, wouldn’t you agree?

      9. God gives the nuts, but he doesn’t crack them. ~German proverb

      You can’t expect everything to be done for you.

      At some point, you have to do something for yourself.

      If everything is done for you, you’ll never learn; you’ll never develop new skills, and you’ll never be able to deal with life.

      So don’t try to avoid the chore, embrace it with enthusiasm and recognise that it’s in your own best interests to act.

      10. A wise man makes his own decisions; an ignorant man follows public opinion. ~Chinese Proverb

      Criticism can be uncomfortable, so it’s easy to be swayed by the majority view. However, how can we be sure that the majority view is correct? Perhaps they’re all wrong.

      Just because a lot of people think something is so, it doesn’t mean that they have a monopoly on knowledge and common sense.

      Rather than simply following the herd, it’s much better to consider a situation carefully, weighing the various possibilities, and then form your own opinion or make an informed decision.

      Think for yourself; don’t allow the herd to impose their thinking on you.

      11. Every ass loves to hear himself bray. ~Proverb of Unknown Origin

      As the old saying goes, empty vessels make the most sound.

      However, just because someone can talk a good game doesn’t mean they can play a good game.

      People who are truly skilled at something will demonstrate it through their actions, not their words. They’ll leave the talking to other people.

      You’ll never impress anyone by singing your own praises.

      However, you’ll win them over if you can demonstrate your effectiveness through the results you deliver.

      So go on, show people what you can do.

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      Here’s why the only disability in life is a bad attitude

      07/05/2025 by

      It has been said that the only disability in life is a bad attitude. For me, that rings true, at least to some degree.

      Let’s explore the idea.

      Have you faced numerous challenges in your life, dear reader?

      Maybe you’re feeling a little bit sorry for yourself?

      Life hasn’t been fair to you recently, possibly?

      If life’s unfair, you might feel that you’re entitled to have a bad attitude. Everyone’s doing fine but you, so why shouldn’t you let the world know that you’re not happy, right? We all feel that way occasionally, don’t we? I do, that’s for sure.

      However, if you’re trying to get people on your side with a negative attitude, then you should reconsider. No one will be joining you at the pity party. You won’t find anyone sympathetic to a bad attitude, I assure you.

      If there’s one genuine disability in life, it’s a bad attitude.

      It’s a fact that negativity never impresses anyone, ever. Other people have enough problems of their own.

      It doesn’t win people over; it will simply alienate them. You’ll be pushing them away rather than gathering their support and winning hearts and minds.

      Life isn’t fair. If it has never been, and it never will be. That’s a fact, unfortunately.

      You’ll find that life doesn’t care about what you want. It doesn’t care about what anyone wants.

      It doesn’t care about any sense of entitlement you may have.

      Nor does life care that you feel that you should have a bigger piece of the pie.

      In my experience, life is what you make it. Nothing happens by accident unless you’re very, very lucky. And no one is consistently that lucky.

      Your attitude will define the life you enjoy or don’t enjoy.

      It’s not about what happens to you. Stuff happens to everyone.

      Yes, it’s true, some people bear a greater share of life’s challenges than others. However, ultimately, your life will be defined by how you respond to everything that happens to you.

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      Attitude is everything
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      Positive beats negative:

      No matter how tough life gets, a positive attitude will take you further than a negative one ever will.

      A positive attitude is the most powerful response to life’s misfortunes.

      It says you can knock me down as many times as you like, but you won’t keep me down. I will get up, and I will keep getting up until I reach my destination.

      Now, that sort of attitude does impress people.

      Life responds positively to those with a positive attitude. I can tell you that from personal experience.

      You’ll find that a positive attitude will always win people over. Show them that you can rise above everything life throws at you, and you’ll have their respect.

      In the embedded video below, Matthew Jeffers, a senior acting major at Towson University in Maryland, shares an inspiring message with the letter he wrote to the Baltimore Ravens, his favourite NFL team.

      The letter was entitled “A Reason to Win,” and it’s all the more impressive when considered against Matthew’s struggles with Skeletal Dysplasia.

      The ultimate lesson is that life won’t cut you any slack just because you’re feeling sorry for yourself.

      Attitude is everything:

      Yes, it’s true. Attitude is everything. If you believe you can, you will; if you believe you can’t, you won’t. It’s that simple.

      Many people experience tough lives, and however hard your life is, there’ll be plenty of people out there whose lives are far tougher than yours. Many people experience disabilities of varying degrees of severity, but, as Matthew Jeffers observes, the only real disability in life is a bad attitude.

      So if you’re feeling a bit dispirited right now, take a good, hard look at yourself and think about the positives you have in your life, rather than constantly focusing on the negatives.

      This video will inspire you, so take a look at it now. It’s well worth a few minutes of your time.

      The only disability in life is a bad attitude:

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      So, do you agree that the only disability in life is a bad attitude?

      Either way, was this article interesting and valuable, dear reader?

      If so, then please share it on social media with your friends. When you share, everyone wins.

      So please share it now. If you do, I’ll be forever grateful, and you’ll be helping a keen blogger reach a wider audience.

      I appreciate your support. Thank you.

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      35 Quotes by CS Lewis that are thought-provoking

      07/03/2025 by

      Today, I thought it would be interesting to explore some quotes by CS Lewis.

      Clive Staples Lewis was a British writer and lay theologian. At various times, he held academic positions in English literature at both the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge in England.

      CS Lewis is probably best known for his works of fiction, especially The Chronicles of Narnia and The Space Trilogy, as well as his nonfiction works.

      Lewis wrote more than 30 books, which have been translated into more than 30 languages and have sold millions of copies.

      He was a successful man, and, as I always say, it’s a good idea to listen to successful people.

      So here are 35 quotes by CS Lewis. I hope you find them both interesting and thought-provoking.

      Enjoy them all, and please feel free to share them with your friends.

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      Quotes by CS Lewis (1-15):

      1. We are what we believe we are.
      2. Joy is the serious business of Heaven.
      3. No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.
      4. Miracles do not, in fact, break the laws of nature.
      5. An explanation of cause is not a justification by reason.
      6. It’s so much easier to pray for a bore than to go and see one.
      7. Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours.
      8. I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for joy.
      9. You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.
      10. With the possible exception of the equator, everything begins somewhere.
      11. Reason is the natural order of truth, but imagination is the organ of meaning.
      12. How incessant and great are the ills with which prolonged old age is replete?
      13. The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts.
      14. I think that all things, in their way, reflect heavenly truth, the imagination not least.
      15. Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.

      Quotes by CS Lewis (16-25):

      1. The real problem is not why some pious, humble, believing people suffer, but why some do not.
      2. Let’s pray that the human race never escapes from Earth to spread its iniquity elsewhere.
      3. Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.
      4. Always prefer the plain direct word to the long, vague one. Don’t implement promises, but keep them.
      5. Failures, repeated failures, are finger posts on the road to achievement. One fails forward toward success.
      6. Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives.
      7. The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.
      8. Thirty was so strange for me. I’ve really had to come to terms with the fact that I am now a walking and talking adult.
      9. This is one of the miracles of love: It gives a power of seeing through its own enchantments and yet not being disenchanted.
      10. Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.

      Quotes by CS Lewis (26-30):

      1. Always try to use the language so as to make quite clear what you mean and make sure your sentence couldn’t mean anything else.
      2. What we call Man’s power over Nature turns out to be a power exercised by some men over other men with Nature as its instrument.
      3. A dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience that is not slavery.
      4. If I find in myself a desire that no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.
      5. History isn’t just the story of bad people doing bad things. It’s quite as much a story of people trying to do good things. But somehow, something goes wrong.

      Quotes by CS Lewis (31-35):

      1. Don’t use words too big for the subject. Don’t say ‘infinitely’ when you mean ‘very’; otherwise, you’ll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.
      2. We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.
      3. It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.
      4. ‘The Lion’ all began with a picture of a faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood. This picture had been in my mind since I was about sixteen. Then one day, when I was about forty, I said to myself, ‘Let’s try to make a story about it.’
      5. Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.
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      1 question to ask: Why is my life so bad right now?

      06/29/2025 by

      Why is my life so bad right now? Have you ever asked yourself that question?

      Perhaps you feel you deserve something better from life? Perhaps your life isn’t all you’d like it to be. Do you want more, possibly?

      Does today’s question resonate with you, dear reader?

      You look around and see people enjoying the sort of life you’d like, and you can’t help but wonder how it’s all working out for them but not for you.

      Why is my life so bad right now?

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      Who’s at fault?

      If you feel this way, then you’re not alone; that much is certain.

      However, if you do feel this way, do you ever wonder who’s at fault for your life failing to meet your expectations?

      Perhaps you feel the fault lies with your parents or the teachers you had at school?

      Maybe you feel the fault lies with your boss or your employer.

      They didn’t provide you with the proper training, or you didn’t get the breaks when there was an opportunity for promotion? Someone else got the promotion simply because they were well in with the boss, right? Perhaps you feel that you were a better candidate than them, and yet they got the job? Life can be so unfair, right?

      Well, my friend, I have to tell you that if your life sucks, there’s only one person you can blame. Just look in any mirror, and you will see that person staring right back at you.

      We’re responsible for our own lives, and our lives will always be what we choose to make of them.

      Yes, you may have had a few bad breaks in life. Yes, perhaps your parents and/or teachers could have been better. So what? Life’s still what you choose to make it.

      I’m not suggesting that anything is easy, and, of course, there will always be challenges. Nevertheless, there will always be opportunities for the enterprising and fleet-footed, too. And you can choose to take some of them or not.

      You have to decide what it is you want. You have to work out how to get what you want. Then, it requires determination and a lot of hard work on your part to achieve your ultimate goal.

      An endless stream of opportunities:

      Life is truly an endless stream of opportunities that you can choose to take or not. Look for ways to add value to the lives of others, and you’ll soon see that there are opportunities there for the taking every single day.

      By providing a service and adding value to others’ lives, there’s always money to be made.

      Continue to educate yourself and acquire new skills, and you’ll be able to add more value to others.

      Add more value, and you’ll get paid more.

      Manage the money you make wisely, and you can build your wealth over time. It can be done, and people do. So, why not you?

      However, there are no shortcuts. Nothing ever happens by chance.

      On rare occasions, you might get lucky, and something will fall into your lap. However, mostly you’ll have to work very hard to get what you want. You have to go out and make things happen, I’m afraid. That’s life, unfortunately.

      Life and relationships:

      It’s the same with relationships, too.

      Find someone whom you’d be happy to have as a friend, even without intimacy, and you’ll have the basis for a healthy relationship.

      Friendship and trust are essential to a good relationship. As does commitment and a willingness to put in as much as you take out.

      It all starts with really knowing what you want.

      Know your ‘Why?’

      If you know your ‘Why?’ then that will give you the motivation you need to keep going until you get to where you want to be.

      If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way to make it happen.

      That said, you have to be positive. You have to be prepared to make a few mistakes. You must also be ready to learn from those mistakes.

      Never fear mistakes:

      On the road to success, a few mistakes are inevitable.

      However, as learning opportunities, mistakes are truly invaluable. You’ll learn much more from any mistakes you make than you will from any successes you enjoy.

      That said, never allow yourself to be driven too far off course. Keep your eye on the prize you want. And never accept an answer unless it’s the one that you want.

      Don’t be discouraged:

      Above all, never, ever let people discourage you from pursuing your dreams and ambitions.

      It doesn’t matter what other people think; the only thing that matters is what you think. It doesn’t matter whether they believe you can do it, as long as you feel you can do it.

      You can be whatever you want to be, as long as you want whatever it is you think you want.

      Everything is possible for those who never give up until they reach their desired destination. Life is what you make it. I can tell you that from my own experience.

      You must also remember this, though: life’s not a rehearsal.

      You only get to go around just once. Well, as far as we know.

      So, make your life the best it can be and make the most of being you. Remember this: you’re as good as anyone and better than most.

      There’s a price to be paid:

      You can have the life you want, but not without hard work and commitment. There’s a price to be paid, and that price will be paid in blood, sweat, and tears. You don’t get anything for nothing, and the price must always be paid first.

      If you don’t want to pay the price, then the life you lead will always fall short of your expectations. Sorry if that bothers you, but it’s a fact.

      Where to start?

      Don’t ask yourself, why is my life so bad right now?

      A better question is, what actions do I need to take to start improving my life?

      Start by making a list, setting some goals, and then you must get going.

      It’s never too late to improve your situation. It’s never too late to improve your life. And it’s never too late to be all that you could be.

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      So please share this post now.

      If you do, I’ll be ever so grateful, and you’ll be helping a keen blogger reach a wider audience.

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      25 funny facts to entertain and amuse you

      06/19/2025 by

      If you want to amaze people with the variety and depth of your knowledge, then it’s always helpful to have a few weird and funny facts at your disposal.

      So here are 25 funny facts to entertain and amuse you. I found them all fascinating, and I hope you do too, dear reader.

      See how many of these facts you can work into your conversations today.

      And please, feel free to share this post with your friends.

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      Funny Facts:

      1. China has censored their word for censorship.
      2. Cows moo with regional accents.
      3. The female lion does 90% of the hunting.
      4. It is impossible to lick your elbow.
      5. Over 75% of people who read Fact No 4 will then try to lick their elbow.
      6. 50% of all doctors graduate in the bottom half of their class.
      7. Dolly Parton once lost out to a drag queen in a Dolly Parton look-alike contest.
      8. The blob of toothpaste you put on your toothbrush is called a nurdle.
      9. Putting in a vase will make flowers stand up straight for a week beyond when they would normally wilt.
      10. One-quarter of the bones in your body are in your feet.
      11. A man once wore 60 shirts and nine pairs of jeans on a flight from China to Africa to avoid paying for excess baggage at check-in. 
      12. There’s a village in Norway called Hell and it freezes over every winter.
      13. It would take 76 workdays to read every online privacy policy we agree to in an average year.
      14. Rats multiply so quickly that in 18 months, two rats could have over a million descendants.
      15. In an average lifetime, while sleeping, people will eat 70 assorted insects and 10 spiders.
      16. 27% of all food produced in Western nations ends up in garbage cans.
      17. If you went out into space, you’d explode before you’d suffocate because there’s no air pressure.
      18. Wearing headphones for just an hour will increase the bacteria in your ear by 700 times.
      19. A chip of silicon a quarter-inch square has the capacity of the original 1945 ENIAC computer, which occupied an entire city block.
      20. Because metal was scarce, the Oscars given out during World War II were made of wood.
      21. You can tell the sex of a horse by its teeth. Most males have 40, whilst females have 36.
      22. If you have three quarters, four dimes, and four pennies, then you’d have $1.19. You’d also have the largest amount of money in coins without being able to make change for a dollar.
      23. Celery has negative calories! It takes more calories to eat a piece of celery than the celery has in it to begin with.
      24. Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people
      25. Months that begin on a Sunday will always have a Friday the 13th.

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      If you’re impressed with this post, please share it with your friends on social media.

      People do love funny facts, as well as the weird and wonderful ones, so please share this post now.

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